In need of answers

Results from the Sept. 2 primary election are in, and have been
counted. There are interesting races ahead Nov. 4, for the Arizona
Legislature, Congress and the presidency. Arizona voters face
important decisions with regard to ballot initiatives. Oro Valley
residents must decide the fate of bonds for the Naranja Town Site
park.

Before that, Pima County must find answers to the questions of
vote counting and tabulation.

On and before Sept. 2, 98,070 of Pima County’s 471,187
registered voters cast ballots, according to unofficial results.
That’s a turnout of 20.81 percent, low by any measure.

Yet it took a week for the county to resolve the tight Trent
Humphries-Marilyn Zerull race for a Republican nomination in House
District 26. Other counts were unofficial for days after the
voting. Questions have been raised about ballot management.

We ask — can “early” votes be counted early? What will the
county do come November, when a presidential election pitting an
Arizona senator and the first African-American major party nominee
could mean a record voter turnout?

Those and other questions need answers.

Saturday night’s Jazz Legends in Concert, brought to Oro Valley
by the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council and by benefactors Al and
Marilyn Cook, was a true wonder.

On a stage poolside at the Hilton El Conquistador, beneath a
nearly full moon rising above Pusch Ridge on a beautiful late
summer’s evening, some of America’s premier jazz musicians shared
their craft. They are rich in jazz lineage, gospel and blues roots,
and musicianship.

Tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard reached deep for pure notes.
Bassist Lynn Seaton thrummed hard enough to make bones rattle.
Drummer Butch Miles poured himself into the beat. Trumpet player
Byron Stripling, recipient of a special award for his contribution
to America’s art form, called upon his gospel roots, and commanded
the stage. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon brought sharp, strong sounds
and varied pace from his slide. And, when pianist Bobby Floyd
created new, consuming beauty from the standby Amazing Grace,
turning a short tune into minutes of his heart pouring through his
hands onto piano keys, someone described the feeling of near
levitation. Which is what great music, great jazz, great art, can
do, for hearts and souls and minds.

GOVAC, and in particular the Cooks, deserve real thanks for a
terrific event. Al was still jazzed — pardon that — Monday morning,
talking about the public’s response and the future of this
event.

With the help of the Cooks, GOVAC and the community, Oro Valley
could grow a signature event around America’s art form, jazz.

In August, the Town of Oro Valley distributed post cards to
residents advertising a 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, public hearing on
the Arroyo Grande general plan amendment. People were welcome to
speak about the proposal before the planning and zoning commission
that evening at Casas Church.

About 40 residents showed up, and a number signed cards
indicating their interest in speaking.

Then, when the meeting began, officials from the town, county
and state spoke at length about the proposal, and its changes, and
they responded to queries from the planning and zoning board.

The conversation was educational and relevant. Trouble is, it
wasn’t the public speaking. The hearing didn’t start until 8 p.m.,
two hours after advertised. A number of people stuck it out and
said their piece. Others, discouraged, simply left.

Two ways government can improve its standing with people are,
first, doing what it says it’s going to do, and, second, respecting
the people’s time. If a public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m., it
should start at 6 p.m. Not 8.